When shopping for beautiful jewelry accessories, gold is among the first things that come to mind. The use of gold in jewelry making dates back to the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. The rich luster and beauty of gold have made it one of the most precious metals for centuries. The range of gold jewelry accessories that are available on the market can confuse jewelry buyers. There are unscrupulous dealers out there selling poor quality gold imitations which call for caution when shopping. If you are on the market for gold jewelry, SO ICY JEWELRY offers a wide range of high-quality products. In this guide, jewelry experts offer tips on how to make the best gold jewelry purchase and get good value for your money.
Why Invest in Gold Jewelry?
Gold accessories serve both as a form of an investment and as fashion accessories. Vintage gold jewelry is among the most popular items at auctions. Most fetch astonishing prices. Gold fashion can transform your ordinary outfit into something glamorous and stylish that turns heads. The popularity of gold has forced jewelry makers to refine the metal to get the perfect composition. In stores, you will find gold items in different karats, shapes, sizes and metal combinations. This makes it easy to find a beautiful piece that suits your style and budget. These accessories are versatile and work on multiple occasions.
What to Know When Shopping For Gold Jewelry
There is wide range of gold products on sale. You need to gather as much information as you can to make the best purchase. To find that perfect 10K gold Jesus pendant or any other gold piece, here are some things to consider:
1. Purity/Karat of Gold Jewelry
Gold purity is represented in karats (K) The number before the ‘K’ denotes the amount of gold in a piece. The higher the amount of gold in a product, the higher the karats. For instance, 24K gold contains 99.9% of pure gold and it is very expensive. On the other hand, 22K gold contains 92% of gold, while 14K gold contains 58.3% of gold. Beyond4cs.com has a fantastic article that covers the differences in more detail.
It is important to note that gold in its pure form is soft and not ideal for making jewelry meant for daily use. Pieces made from pure gold would require a lot of care and maintenance. That is why jewelry makers mix gold with other metals like zinc, nickel, or copper among others. Jewelry made of an alloy of a metal and pure gold is more durable than items made of pure gold. Although mixing gold with another metal affects the purity of the gold item it makes it sturdier and durable. For instance, some 10K gold rope chains have ten parts gold (41.7% pure gold) and 14 parts of another metal such as copper, zinc, silver or nickel. It is still authentic gold but with enhanced strength, making it ideal for making items that serve as accessories meant for daily use.
3. How To Check The Purity Of Gold
When shopping for gold jewelry online, you have to be aware of fakes, cheap imitations and gold plated items that are available in plenty in the market. The popularity of gold accessories makes it easy for unscrupulous dealers to dupe buyers looking who look for a bargain.
Luckily, you can distinguish the real thing from fakes by looking at the hallmark or stamps on the gold piece. A gold item will have a hallmark or stamp as an indication of the purity of gold. You only buy gold accessories that have a hallmark to ensure you get the best deal.
The hallmark denotes the purity of the gold in the piece you wish to buy. For instance, a 14-karat gold piece will have a 583,14K, 14kt, or a similar variation which indicates that the item you are buying is made of 14 parts of gold for every 24 parts in the alloy.
4. Buy From A Trusted And Reputable Dealer
The greatest blunder you can make while shopping for gold jewelry is to buy from the first dealer you find. Imposters use exemplary marketing tactics to lure shoppers but they sell poor quality products and also offer poor services. You should take your time to read reviews, testimonials and also seek recommendations from other jewelry lovers. This guarantees that you enjoy professional services from your jeweler and receive high-quality products.
5. Check the Weight
One of the most important things to remember when buying gold jewelry is that the weight of a piece affects its quality and durability. Troy ounces are used for weighing gold accessories, and heavier piece costs more. The weight of an item will include the weight of other components such as gemstones as well. Many gemstones, like semiprecious ones, are much cheaper than gold weight for weight and when used in jewelry, only add weight to inflate the price of the entire gold item. However, you should consider the quality or suitability of the gemstones that are added to the jewelry piece to determine whether they are worth having for the price you pay for the entire piece. You may buy a heavy jewelry item that has a high price and a lot of gemstones, yet a very little amount of pure gold in it.
6. Consider The Making Charge
The price of the 10K gold Jesus pendant you want to buy might vary from store to store due to the making charge individual jewelers charge. The making charge is the cost of the labor involved in creating an entire piece. These charges are a percentage of the current price of gold and you might end up paying an inflated making charge because the rate of gold is high that day.
7. Shop when Gold Prices Fall
The price of gold jewelry varies depending on the time of year that you choose to buy them. During the holidays, gold accessories are in high demand as everyone looks for a gift for their loved ones. This is the time fashion lovers also shop for the best jewelry to upgrade their collections. You will find better prices when the gold prices on the market fall.
8. Don’t Pay Extra for Color
Pure gold has a soft, warm yellow hue and it oozes elegance and class. However, you will also find other color variations, including white gold and rose gold. Some jewelry dealers will ask for a higher price for colored gold jewelry. Do not fall for this play. Rose and white gold contain other cheaper metals alloyed with gold and do not necessarily add value. With this knowledge, you can demand a better price for your colored gold accessories.
Final Thoughts
Buying gold jewelry can be an exciting experience. The thought of owning beautiful and elegant jewelry thrills any jewelry lover. However, it may also lead to poor decisions. Take time to learn about gold jewelry, including the purity rating and pricing. These ideas should start you off if you want to buy a high-quality 10K gold rope.
